Chris Bassitt's USA vs. DR reaction will remind Blue Jays fans what they're losing

The World Baseball Classic has had every glued to their television sets (or computer or phone screens) over the past couple of weeks. The 2026 tournament has been full of drama and excitement, something that hasn't gone unnoticed by fans, former players, and current players who aren't even in the tournament. That includes former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt.

The veteran hurler took to social media during the Team USA versus Team Dominican Republic semi-final game on Sunday night at had a message that not only rings true, but also reminds Blue Jays fans of what they won't have in 2026.

Bassitt's message a true reflection of his passion for the game

Bassitt wrote on X (formely Twitter), "Watching the US vs DR game reminds me why I play the greatest game there is. Other than hockey (full credit to those guys)… name me another sport that straps it on and says let’s f’n go like this. Pretty damn hard to beat."

Blue Jays fan became accustomed to Bassitt's passion for the game during his three years in Toronto. Bassitt accumulated a 4.6 bWAR between 2023-25, pitching in 96 regular season games, which included 95 starts. He threw 541.1 innings, with a 3.89 ERA while striking out 520 batters. He was the perfect middle of the rotation addition for the Blue Jays and held up his end of that bargain as the Blue Jays reached the postseason twice during Bassitt's tenure in Toronto.

In 2025, his contributions to the team rose to another level, not just for what he did on the field but for what he did off it just as much. He was one of the most vocal critics about how the 2024 campaign went in which the Blue Jays sported a losing record, missed the playoffs and, in Bassitts words, had no real backup plan to make the team competitive after they missed out on signing Shohei Ohtani. Bassitt helped turn the team turnaround from last place in the division in that '24 season, to being the champs of the AL East in 2025.

He was lauded for his infectious clubhouse presence and he gave the Blue Jays and their fans the rallying cry that carried them to the 2025 World Series when he spoke on the field following the Blue Jays clinch of the division title. But all of that is now in the past for Bassitt and the Blue Jays, as the 37-year-old veteran has joined their division rivals, the Baltimore Orioles, going into 2026.

Bassitt signed a one-year, $18.7 million deal with the Orioles as part of their aggressive offseason to try and replicate what the Blue Jays did just this past season. Like Toronto, Baltimore has been regarded as one of the best "up-and-coming teams" in MLB over the last few years, and have also reached the heights of winning a division title and making it to the playoffs, but never being able to get over the hump. They also had a horrendous 2025 season, and bringing in Bassitt looks to be a great move to have that first hand experience of what it's like to go from worst-to-first in one season.